Today I am going to share the homework correction quoted from my JLPT N4 course!
The student’s sentence is not correct. Can you find the mistake?

 

[Student’s sentence]

まだ遊びたいのに、もう遅いから帰ります。

*まだあそびたいのに、もうおそいからかえります。

 

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[My correction]

まだ遊びたいのに、もう遅いから帰ります。
→まだ遊びたいけど、もう遅いから帰ります。

I still want to play, but it’s late, so I’m going home.

 

Both 〜のに and 〜けど are used in the “but” sense, but the nuance is slightly different.

After using のに, we usually expect unexpected results such as doubts, dissatisfaction, or regret. However, saying “もう遅いから帰ります” is not an unexpected result; it is what you intended to do.
Since the sentence expresses your volition, using けど is more appropriate.

 

e.g.
このコーヒー高(たか)いけど、おいしいから買(か)ってもいい？
(× このコーヒー高いのに、おいしいから買ってもいい？)
This coffee is expensive, but it’s good, so can I buy it?

 

富士山(ふじさん)に登(のぼ)るのは大変(たいへん)だったけど、また登りたい。
(× 富士山に登るのは大変だったのに、また登りたい。)
Climbing Mount Fuji was tough, but I want to climb it again.

 

I hope my explanation helps you. 😊

 

In the JLPT course, all lessons come with homework. If you submit your homework, I will reply with corrections.
I can break down the Japanese grammar and point out mistakes, explaining the structure and nuances of Japanese in an easy-to-understand way.
You can also ask me any questions in as much detail as you want. I will teach you until you get it!